by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 9

At exactly 5:25, Luke pulled into the driveway of Cherokee Hills Apartments. He guided the General into a tight parking space in front of the building Meghan lived in and shut off the engine. The dark-haired man sat in the car for a few minutes and took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He had decided to tell Meghan, tonight, exactly how much he cared for her and he was scared that he would either say something wrong or cause her to run. Luke quirked a slight grin, slapped his hands on the steering wheel and said, “Here goes nothing.” He climbed out of the car and noticed that he was being watched. Meghan had come out onto her patio when she heard the distinctive sound of the General’s engine and she had been watching Luke’s hesitant exit from the car with some amusement. Luke looked up to see his girlfriend leaning over the railing of her second-floor apartment’s patio. He waved and flashed a wide smile before he sauntered across the walkway leading to the stairs.

Meghan returned the smile and wave and waited for him. She watched as he walked down the path and shook her head in amazement. He looked so good in the white T-shirt and black jeans he was wearing! Every time she saw him she still couldn’t believe that this gorgeous, sweet man was interested in her! He was such a gentleman; never pushing her farther than she was ready to go. That was good, because she still didn’t really know deep into this relationship she wanted to get. Meghan stopped her train of thought abruptly. She heard Luke approaching the top of the stairs and she smoothed the blue and white sundress she was wearing, hoping she looked presentable.

“Hey, Sweetheart. You look great.” Luke said as he reached to hug his girlfriend.

“Hey, yourself, Good-Lookin’. I though you were going to stay in that car all evening!” Meghan said jokingly. She walked into his embrace and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Luke pouted, “Is that all I get?”
Before Meghan could reply, he pulled her close and bent his head to hers for what he determined to be a proper kiss.

When the kiss broke, Meghan smiled and giggled. “I could get used to those, you know!” she said, looking up into Luke’s sparkling blue eyes.

“I hope so,” Luke said as he wiggled his eyebrows and smoothed her soft, brown hair. He liked it when she wore her hair down, as she had it now. “You ready to go meet my family? It shouldn’t be too bad since you’ve seen them all before already. Uncle Jesse and Daisy are really lookin’ forward to seeing you again. Bo too, I guess…he’s been acting sorta odd lately, so don’t be offended if he doesn’t act too friendly.”

Meghan smiled and listened to Luke’s explanation. “Of course I’m ready. I’ve been wanting to see them all again for so long. I hope they like me as your girlfriend and not just as a nurse!” She didn’t let on that she was actually scared to death!

Luke smiled and held out his arm to Meghan. She wrapped her arm around his elbow. “They’ll love you. Don’t fret”, he said and winked as he escorted her down the stairs.

When they reached the General, Meghan noticed a problem. Her short stature combined with the dress she was wearing made it almost impossible to climb into the car window with any semblance of grace.

She looked at Luke, batted her eyelashes and pretended to wave an imaginary fan. “Well, kind Sir, I find myself in need of some assistance”, she drawled in her best imitation of a Southern Belle.
Luke took her hand, kissed it and bowed, gallantly, before her. “At your service, Ma’am,” he said in return. The dark-haired man lifted Meghan as if she weighed no more than a feather and helped her into the car. He noted to himself that he would like to see her wearing dresses more often if it meant getting to help her in and out of the car. Luke climbed into his window and started the car.

Meghan said, “Thank ya so much. I do declare that you are the very heart of chivalry, Mr. Duke,” continuing with her Southern Belle routine.

Luke looked at her with smiling eyes. He tilted her chin up with one finger and briefly kissed her lips before replying, “Always happy to oblige, Miss Meghan. Now let’s roll.” Luke put the orange muscle car in gear and spun tires as they left the parking lot. He didn’t have to worry about scaring Meghan with his fast driving; he had already found out that she liked fast cars and was a little bit of a wild driver herself! The sound of Meghan’s laughter filled the air as they headed toward the Duke farm.

Meghan and Luke rode in comfortable ease; occasionally talking about random things or singing along to the radio. Luke had a wonderful singing voice and she loved adding harmony along with him, but mostly she just liked listening to him sing alone. The closer they got to Hazzard, however, the more nervous Meghan became. Luke had often talked about his family and she felt she knew them all very well, already, and she wanted to make a good impression. Yes, she was anxious to see how the Duke family thought of her now that she was dating Luke; but the primary reason for her nervousness was Bo Duke. Try as she may, she had not been able to get the tall blond out of her head! She was ashamed to admit that she had been thinking and dreaming about him ever since they met at the hospital, April. Even though he was sick with his asthma and upset about his uncle, she had felt a very strong attraction to him; not just physical, but something deeper. She couldn’t explain it. Those brief feelings she felt when barely touching Bo or when she looked into his wonderfully expressive blue eyes were, she hated to say, deeper than anything she had felt with Luke. She even longed for Luke to talk about his cousin. Sometimes she purposefully turned the conversation so Luke would have to mention things about Bo. Meghan longed to get to know this person that Luke seemed to care so much about; the carefree, lovable, impulsive young man that he considered to be his younger brother.
‘This is crazy! He has absolutely no interest in you and you don’t even know him! Get him out your head, Meggie. He probably has so many girls hanging off him that he wouldn’t even give you the time of day! Besides…you are dating Luke. He is the one who is paying attention to you. He’s the one who cares about you and wants to be with you, not Bo.’ she chastised herself.

Luke noticed Meghan’s prolonged silence. “You OK, hon?”

Meghan turned to look at Luke and smiled. She scooted closer to him on the seat and he put his arm around her. “I’m just fine, now.” she said with a soft, happy sigh. Luke chuckled and dropped a soft kiss on the top of her head.

“Seriously, Meghan…are you OK? You seemed to zone out for a while.” Luke said with concern.

“I’m fine, Luke. I’m just a little tired. Those double shifts I worked at the beginning of the week are starting to catch up with me…that’s all.” It wasn’t a total lie; she was tired from working extra at the hospital due to short staff. She snuggled into Luke’s side and vowed that no matter what it took, she would get Bo Duke out of her head. She cared about Luke more and more every day. The petite brunette knew that it would hurt Luke if he ever found out that she had feelings, however irrational, for his cousin and she did not want to hurt Luke in any way. This man sitting next to her was too special to lose. He deserved her undivided attention and damned if she wasn’t going to try to provide him with that!

Luke tightened his arm around the woman beside him. She grew more beautiful every time he saw her. The simple sundress she wore accented her figure perfectly without being revealing. She wasn’t the kind of girl to dress in revealing clothes anyway and he was glad. He didn’t want guys to look at her like they looked at Daisy when she had to wear those skimpy outfits at work. He grinned, thinking that his feisty little Meghan could probably take care of herself in such situations, just like Daisy; but he didn’t want her to have to. He wanted to take care of her. He thought to himself, “It’s now or never…”

“Meghan…I want to tell you something.”

“What’s on your mind?” She sat up straighter and looked at Luke.

Luke kept his eyes on the road and took a deep breath.
“Meghan…I’m not really good at lettin’ my feelings show and I’m even worse at talkin’ about them. I really like you. I enjoy being with you more than I have any other woman I’ve known. I usually don’t open myself up to anybody. I don’t get attached to people very easily…but I could get attached to you real quick, Meghan! I guess what I’m tryin’ to say is that…I think…I think I’m falling in love with you.” Luke finished in a rush. He looked scared and surprised that he had actually said what he had. “Uh…we can take things slow…not rush things, you know. I’m still getting used to the idea of a steady relationship! But if it’s OK with you, I’d like us to get more serious…taking it slow, of course.” Luke said in a soft, hopeful voice.

Upon hearing Luke’s words, Meghan’s heart had melted. Just last night, she had dreamed of hearing those words. But instead of Luke, her dream had conjured up Bo and she heard his gentle voice say them and she had been looking into dark-blue eyes; not the clear, crystal-blue eyes she was looking into now. She pushed the thoughts of Bo from her mind. Luke had just told her he loved her…in a round about way! She cared about Luke so much and realized that she loved him, too. She ran a hand through Luke’s dark, wavy hair. He turned away from the road briefly, and caught her soft-green gaze with his own. She smiled widely at him, her dimples deepening. “It’s perfectly fine with me, Luke. Slow is good…I’m still getting used to the idea of a steady relationship, myself…and…I think love you, too. You’re something special, Luke Duke.” she said as she leaned over to kiss his lips.

Luke grinned like a fool. He pulled her closer with one arm as he drove with the other. “And you, Meghan Riley, are too cute for words.” he said as he returned the kiss.

Luke turned off the main road and pointed the General down the gravel road leading to the Duke property.

“We’re almost there.” Luke said with excitement shining in his eyes.

Moments later, the General Lee pulled into the yard of the Duke farm and came to a stop in front of the old white house.

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 8
Two months later, mid-July…

The summer had been going pretty well for the Dukes. Jesse was almost fully recovered and taking over most of his old chores. Bo seemed to be getting back to his usual self except when a certain young lady was mentioned. Daisy tried her best to keep the relationship between her cousins from becoming damaged by running interference when Luke questioned Bo’s strange behavior too much. The boys had, for the most part, returned to their old routine. They worked on the farm together and hung out together, as usual. They were even being chased by the law more now that Jesse had recovered. Things were starting to get back to normal in Hazzard.

To Luke Duke things were better than normal! The normally reserved Luke was walking on air! He whistled as he unloaded feed sacks from the bed of the truck. The hot Georgia sun was shining and the work was almost done for the day. All was right in his world. His family was pretty much back to normal…well, normal except for Bo; his youngest cousin was still acting odd. Bo had started to become quiet again and had been sneaking off by himself lately. Luke, however, decided to just leave well enough alone. Bo would come around…eventually; besides, he had better things to occupy his mind with! The dark-haired Duke had been steadily dating a wonderful girl who he really liked and who seemed to like him just as much! And Boss and Rosco were hatching their schemes to frame him and Bo, as usual…which provided for endless hours of entertainment!

Luke and Meghan’s first date had gone so well that they had decided to start seeing each other on a regular basis. In fact, it seemed the only times they were not together or talking on the phone was when Meghan was at work or they were sleeping! Luke was very proud of his girlfriend and encouraged her work. He didn’t mind dating a woman who made more money or had more education than him; but he was still old fashioned about most of the relationship! Luke liked Meghan so much that he actually considered telling her that he loved her…at least he thought he loved her. He didn’t know for sure if it was actually love that he felt but he knew he felt stronger about her than any other woman he had ever dated.

Luke finished unloading the truck and wiped his hands on his jeans before slamming the tail-gate shut. He was happy and looking forward to dinner. He had finally decided to bring Meghan to the farm tonight. He was actually a bit surprised that Daisy, Jesse, and Bo hadn’t been pestering him to meet her long before now. In fact, now that he thought about it, Bo really hadn’t asked much about Meghan at all. Usually, the talkative blond would tease him and want to know everything about any girl Luke dated…even down to her favorite color and how she kissed! He noticed that Bo always listened intently whenever he talked about Meghan but never asked any questions. Luke had also noticed that Bo always seemed to find something to do in another room or outside whenever Meghan was on the phone…actually, Bo rarely even answered the phone anymore, saying “Luke, it’s probably for you” and handing the receiver over. The more he thought about it, the more Luke realized how uncharacteristically Bo was acting. How have I kept from noticing before now? Wonder what’s eatin’ him? Maybe he thinks I’m neglecting him since I’m spending so much time with Meghan now. I’ll try to make it up to him by doing more things with him. Maybe he’ll want to come with me and Meghan to do some stuff…double date or something.

Luke felt some better after he had determined a possible cause for Bo’s strange behavior. He smiled as he heard the sound of pots and pans clanging in the kitchen. Daisy and Jesse were fussing over the house and the cooking…even though he knew Meghan wouldn’t care. Daisy seemed to be so excited to meet Meghan that she had swapped shifts with another waitress at the Boar’s Nest just so she would be able to stay home tonight! He didn’t know where Bo was…something that was unusual and becoming disturbingly more frequent…but he hoped his cousin wouldn’t be late for dinner. Luke had started to go into the house to get ready to go get Meghan when Cooter Davenport’s tow truck rattled into the yard…towing the General behind.

Luke hollered a greeting to his friend and walked over to see what the problem was. The General didn’t look like he’d been wrecked.

“Hey, Coot. What’s wrong with the General?” Luke questioned as he began to unhook the orange stock-car.

“Well, Buddyro…the General Lee is as right as rain. At least he is now. He could’ve ended up wrapped around a tree if I hadn’t got to him in time.” Cooter looked serious and a bit concerned as he walked around to the passenger side of the truck.

“Huh? What’s the problem, then?” Luke asked, a frown creasing his face.

“This.” Cooter said simply as he opened the passenger side door of the old tow-truck.

Inside was Bo Duke; sprawled across the seat, passed out and dead to the world!

“What the…?” Luke said in shock. “What happened? Is he hurt?” Luke struggled to get his limber-limbed cousin out of the truck and onto the ground.

“He’s alright Luke…just stinkin’ drunk is all. He could’ve been a lot worse. I drove up to the Boar’s Nest just as ol’ Bo here was staggering out to get into the General. Luckily, I talked him into lettin’ me drive him home…otherwise he would’ve been behind the wheel when he passed out about ten minutes ago.”
Luke was open-mouthed with shock. His cousin had never liked getting drunk. In fact, he could count the times Bo had been this drunk on one hand and have fingers left over. Luke leaned over the young man on the ground and got a strong whiff of alcohol.

“Whew! You were right when you said he was stinkin’ drunk! That’s not beer either. He’s been drinking whiskey…and the cheap, nasty kind at that! What’s goin’ on Cooter? Bo never drinks that stuff! He usually only has three or four beers at the most! Besides, it’s only 4:00…way too early for him to even be thinking about getting wasted.” Luke was frustrated and looked to his old friend for some answers.

“I don’t know Luke. I just don’t know. Gary, that new bartender at the Boar’s Nest, said Bo’s been in a lot lately. Sometimes he drinks, sometimes he doesn’t…but either way, Gary said he just sits at the bar by himself and doesn’t talk to anyone. Today he said Bo came in around noon and seemed determined to get good and sloshed before he left. Something’s going on, Lukas…Bo’s just not the same ol’ boy he used to be! I for one wish he’d get over this problem…I miss him.” Cooter let out a deep breath and looked sadly at his young friend.

“Me too, Cooter. Come on and help me get him into the barn. I need to try to sober him up some before Jesse sees him. Hey, do you want to have dinner over here tonight? We’ll have plenty and it’ll give you a chance to meet my girlfriend.”

“Oh, the girlfriend who you talk about all the time. Let’s see…what is her name? …Maggie or Margaret or Meghan or something like that?” Cooter teased.

“Yeah, OK, maybe I do talk about her a little bit.” Luke grinned, sheepishly.

Cooter rolled his eyes. He and Luke picked Bo up and easily carried him into the barn. Luke went to fill a bucket with cold water from the pump next to the battered, old water trough.

“I guess I can come for dinner. I need to go do a quick tow job and clean up a little first, though. Wouldn’t want to scare your girl away!” Cooter pushed his greasy cap up and scratched his head. He leaned against the doorway of the old barn and eyed the bucket Luke was filling. “Uh, whatcha fixin’ to do, Luke?”

“You’ll see.” Luke finished filling the bucket and walked over to the empty stall where his cousin lay, softly snoring.

“Ya know, Cooter…I can’t say I won’t enjoy this! Bo sure won’t…but then he shouldn’t have been out acting like an idiot.” He swirled the bucket and took aim. He glanced at Cooter as if daring his friend to stop him.

Cooter made a face and readjusted his cap. “I don’t blame ya, Luke. But, dang, that’s gonna be one heck of a wake up call!” he said, cringing slightly.

Luke quirked a slightly wicked grin and proceeded to dump the entire contents of the water bucket on his inebriated cousin’s head.

Bo was having the strangest dream about him and Luke being chased by Roscoe, who was riding a green tricycle and somehow keeping up with them better than usual…, when all of a sudden …“SPLASH”!
He gasped and sputtered. He was drowning! He flailed about on the floor of the stall until he got his eyes opened completely and could see where he was. He saw that he was in the barn and he had no idea how he got there. He dimly registered that there was a great deal of laughter going on somewhere near him; but he couldn’t see what the hell was so funny at the moment. His head was about to fall off his shoulders, so he held it on with one hand while he used the other to prop himself up into a sitting position. Bo noticed, through his swirling vision, that it was his cousin and Cooter who were laughing hysterically, especially Luke. It figures! Luke had all the fun lately. Bo felt terrible. His stomach began to roll like one of the rides at the county fair and he knew he was going to be sick. He managed to grab hold of the wall and pulled himself to his wobbly feet; still holding his head with one hand! He staggered a few steps to the nearest garbage barrel, leaned over it, and threw up his toes…again….and again!

Cooter quickly decided it was time for him to go do that tow job. “I’ll leave Bo in your capable hands and I’ll see ya’ll later for dinner.”

“Bye, Cooter. Thanks for bringing him home. Now I just have to sober his butt up before tonight. I’d hate for Meghan to see him like this. It’s bad enough for Jesse and Daisy to see him drunk…” Luke stopped talking and shook his head. He was disgusted and more than a trifle irritated at his younger cousin.

“Well, don’t be too hard on him. There’s got to be some reason behind this, ya know. Bo never has made a habit of getting wasted like that. I’ll see ya’ll later.” Cooter started up his truck and backed out of the driveway.

Luke went to check on Bo. His blond cousin was leaning over the garbage barrel and was pale-faced and sweaty. His deep-blue eyes were slightly unfocused and glassy and he smelled like cheap whiskey and smoke. Luke bit back several angry comments and instead decided to help his cousin. Bo had managed to remove his yellow shirt that had become quite dirty and he stood there; dizzy and leaning against the barn wall. Luke yanked the shirt from his cousin’s hand and walked outside without saying a word. He wet a portion of the garment at the pump and returned to the barn where he wiped his younger cousin’s face with it. Bo gratefully accepted his cousin’s help. He tried to walk but he kept stumbling over his own feet. Luke helped him, although none too gently, walk outside to the water trough. Bo leaned over the body of water and dunked himself, with help and much enthusiasm from Luke, several times. Vomiting up the alcohol and the repeated dousings had helped Bo to sober up some. Luke could tell that Bo was becoming more coherent and he turned to go into the house before he said something he might regret later.

Bo knew Luke was angry with him and he couldn’t blame him. Bo hated whiskey and he hated being drunk. He felt ashamed of what he had done…but, at the time, he hadn’t seen any other way to deaden his pain. The very thought of having to sit calmly at the dinner table while the love of his life sat next to his cousin tonight was killing him.

“Luke, wait.” Bo said hoarsely.

“What.” Luke replied in a strained voice; his rising anger barely suppressed.

“Thanks for helpin’ me. I know you woulda rather beat my head in instead…like I deserve.”

Luke couldn’t hold it in any longer. He quickly walked right up to Bo and grabbed the young man’s wet T-shirt with both hands. Luke got close to Bo’s face and spoke menacingly.
“Damn right you deserve a beatin’! What were you thinking, Bo Duke? Wait…what am I saying…I forgot who I’m talkin’ to. You have to have a brain to think…and it’s obvious you don’t have one because you weren’t thinking at all! Otherwise you wouldn’t have been out drinkin’ that kerosene Boss passes off for whiskey in the middle of the afternoon! Of all the hare-brained…Bo you could’ve killed yourself or somebody else if you had driven that car!” Luke’s voice had risen in volume and he shook Bo hard; water slinging from the younger man’s dripping hair. Bo winced as his head pounded in protest to the sudden movement.

“I thought you might get a little more sense as you got older…but I can see that ain’t gonna happen. Bo…you are the biggest idiot in Hazzard and today’s little stunt only proves my point! Now…I’m gonna go clean up so I can pick up Meghan. When we get back, I either want to see you cleaned-up, sober, and on your best behavior or I don’t want to see you at all. Do you hear me, Bo! You are not gonna embarrass me or the rest of this family in front of my girlfriend.”
Luke released his cousin’s shirt and glared at Bo; his piercing-blue gaze had turned icy.

Bo simply nodded and slowly sat down under the tree next to the trough. He watched his older cousin stalk off toward the house; anger apparent in Luke’s every movement. Luke’s harsh words had penetrated Bo’s alcohol induced haze. The comments had hurt Bo, deeply; but the young man felt he had deserved Luke’s anger. He had been an idiot. Bo knew he had messed up royally…now how in the world was he going to keep things from getting worse?

Luke soon emerged from the house and the General’s back tires were slinging gravel across the yard as he left the farm headed toward Meghan’s apartment in Capital City. He had not spoken to Jesse or Daisy about Bo. They had asked about what had happened outside, but he told Jesse to ask “that fool outside”. As he drove, Luke’s anger gradually lessened and worry took its place. The thought of his cousin nearly driving while drunk had scared him so badly that he just wanted to wring Bo’s neck! What was wrong with his “little brother”? Cooter was right. Something was definitely up with Bo. The only other times Bo had ever gotten drunk were when something was really bothering him…something he didn’t think he could talk about. ‘What was so bad that he couldn’t tell me?’ he thought. Luke actually felt a little bit hurt. He thought he and Bo had gotten back to a point where they could confide in each other again…but apparently Bo had a problem that he couldn’t trust him with. He continued on his way, deeply lost in thought.

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 7

All too soon, 5:30 am arrived at the Duke farm. The resident rooster crowed to announce that it was time to get up and start the morning chores. Luke Duke tried to ignore the annoying bird and go back to sleep, but his alarm clock soon started to buzz. He sat up, bleary eyed, and slammed the button to turn off the offending sound. The rooster crowed again to make sure everyone in the house was awake. Luke growled, under his breath, “OK…I’m up. One of these days, that bird is gonna end up in a pot of dumplings!” He groaned, rubbed his hands over his face, and slowly got dressed for doing chores in jeans and a cotton shirt. As he sat on the bed, putting on his boots, he hollered at his still sleeping cousin; just as he had done almost everyday for nearly twenty years, now.

“Bo…wake up. Bo! Get your lazy butt out of bed! The chores ain’t gonna do themselves.”

Bo continued to snore and didn’t even stir; in fact, he appeared not to have moved an inch since falling, fully clothed, into the bed. Luke noticed that Bo still looked pretty tired even though he was asleep! The dark-haired man had pity on his cousin, shook his head, and said, “OK…I’ll let you sleep in for a while…but you’ll owe me one!”
Luke finished up then walked from his room to join Jesse and Daisy in the kitchen.

Jesse was helping Daisy cook breakfast; gradually returning to his old routine. He looked up as Luke entered the room. His nephew still looked half-asleep and was yawning widely as he sat down at the table. Luke had apparently decided to wait until he had finished his chores to clean up for the day. He was dressed in old work clothes, his hair looked more unruly than usual and he had not shaved yet.

“Good morning, Luke. Looks like it’ll be a nice day today; don’t it?” Jesse said as he took a pan of homemade biscuits from the oven.

“G’mornin’,” Luke mumbled.

“Well, you’re a real ray of sunshine! I almost thought you were Bo…” Daisy said, in a bright, wide-awake voice, as she sat a plate filled with eggs and bacon in front of her cousin. Luke raised an eyebrow and just glared at Daisy.

Jesse saw this and laughed. His youngest nephew had always hated waking up early; no matter how much or how little sleep he had the night before. Luke, however, was usually a morning person like Daisy; but lack of sleep tended to make him cranky in the morning like Bo. “Speakin’ of Bo, where is he?” Jesse said.

“I let him sleep in. He still looked pretty tired.” Luke replied.

Jesse nodded and said, “He needs the rest. He had a real rough night. If he’s not up in a few hours, I’ll go check on him.”

Jesse said Grace before he sat down at the table. The three Dukes then ate their breakfast and went about the routine morning chores.

Bo awoke to the sound of Luke rummaging through the dresser. He noticed that the sun was higher than usual when he woke up and he looked at the clock: 8:30 am. He sat up in bed and looked around, bleary-eyed, at his cousin. “Luke, how come you didn’t wake me up? We’re gonna be late gettin’ the chores done.” Bo scratched his beard-stubbled jaw and then ran both hands through his hair; making it stand on end. He looked down at himself and realized he hadn’t undressed or even taken his boots off last night! ‘Oh, well,’ he thought as he stretched.

Luke turned from the dresser with a clean shirt in his hands and laughed at his wild-looking cousin. His dark hair was still damp from his recent shower and he smelled of his ‘good’ after-shave.
“Good mornin’ to you, too, Rip Van Winkle! As for the chores…they’re already done. I let you sleep in…you looked like you needed it! Oh, by the way…you get to do all the evening chores by yourself since I did yours and mine this morning,” he said with a toothy smile.
Luke shrugged into his newest shirt and looked in the dresser mirror as he started to comb his hair; a little more carefully than usual.

Bo noticed this and grinned…wickedly! He loved to annoy his older cousin…that was one thing he knew he would never outgrow! He got out of bed and sauntered over to lean on the dresser, next to Luke.
“OK…no problem about the chores…but I really need to know something, Lukas. You just look too dang purty and smell too good to be hanging around here all day,” Bo said, as he fluttered his eyelashes, teasing Luke. “Are you goin’ somewheres?” he asked his cousin, grinning widely.

Luke looked at the floor and blushed…he actually blushed! Bo was astonished at this and he started poking Luke in the ribs to further annoy him. “Well, are ya? Huh? Are ya, Lukas?”

“Bo! Stop it, ya idiot!” Luke flinched and moved out of Bo’s reach.

He looked sidelong at his cousin and decided to tell his plans; it felt real good to have someone to talk to again, even if that someone was being an annoying brat at the moment!

“Well…Uncle Jesse wants me to pick up some feed and the new part for the cultivator…and since the parts-store is in Capital City…and Tri-County Hospital is in Capital City, too…well…I…thought I might stop by and see Meghan…and maybe see if she wanted to go get lunch or something like that. You know, spend a little time together before our big date, to talk and stuff.” Luke stammered as he looked at the floor; a slow, soft grin appeared on his face.

A cold knot formed in the pit of Bo’s stomach. He felt wretched, especially when he saw that little grin on Luke’s face. He knew his older cousin too well; that grin and the fact that he blushed meant Luke must really like Meghan…a lot.

“Oh…ri-i-ight…Meghan. She works in Capital City…at the hospital…yeah…that’s a good plan, Luke. Hope she’s working today…I’d hate for you to have to go there for nothin’.” Bo said, tensely, trying his best to sound cheerful and supportive of his cousin.

He had a fake smile plastered on his face and he hoped Luke couldn’t see his internal struggle. He wanted to scream, curse, break something or even hit Luke…he wanted to do anything except stand there and act like he was happy! He wished he could be happy for Luke…Luke deserved it…but right now, the disappointment was just too fresh…maybe in time he would be able to think about Luke and Meghan together without wanting to cry or explode…but today would not be that day.
He had to get away before he lost it and went ballistic in front of Luke. He gave his cousin a friendly slap on the shoulder and quickly headed for the bathroom.
“Well, I’m gonna take a shower. Have a good trip. See ya when you get back.” Bo said in a hurried, strained voice.

Luke turned and watched as Bo nearly ran out of the room. He shrugged and passed his cousin’s odd behavior off as a side-effect of the rough night they had all had. He finished getting ready and, when he thought he passed inspection, left the farmhouse.

By the time Bo had finished his shower, Luke was well on his way to Capital City. The youngest Duke had first thought the day was starting out to be good. He and Luke were joking and talking, as usual…but, then Meghan’s name was mentioned and his good mood went down the drain. He chastised himself for getting so worked up over someone he didn’t even know and most likely would never know as anything other than a friend.

Bo stood in front of the sink with a towel wrapped around his waist. He ran his fingers through his wet hair, trying to get it into some semblance of order. He looked at himself critically as he prepared to shave. “You sure won’t get Meghan to look twice at you now, Beauregard; you look like death warmed over! She wouldn’t look at you anyway; not with perfect Lukas running after her!” he said bitterly and slammed the medicine cabinet door shut. Bo instantly felt bad about his comment. “It’s not like you had any claim on her, you know. You were too chicken to go see her and now you lost out. So, get over it, Hot Shot, and get on with your life. The sooner the better…everything can then get back to normal.” Bo said to his mirrored reflection as he gingerly shaved his bruised face. ‘Great, I’m talking to myself, now. This is starting to get pathetic!’ he thought and shook his head.

Bo finished shaving and brushed a towel over his face. He winced when he touched his left cheek. He examined his reflection and thought, ‘Man…if this is what Uncle Jesse can do when he’s weak, I’d hate to get him mad when he’s at full strength!’ Bo sighed and quickly turned his thoughts to other matters as he got dressed for the day.

Bo finally ventured out into the rest of the house. He had left his shirt untucked and carried his boots and socks with him to put on later. He half-heartedly hoped no one would be in the kitchen because he didn’t really want to talk to anyone right now. He was relieved to see that he was alone in the house. Daisy had saved him some breakfast and he took a cold biscuit from the plate and ate it slowly as he poured himself some coffee. He drank the coffee as he looked out the window at a peaceful scene that he never tired of: his home and the people he loved. His Uncle Jesse sat in front of the barn, sharpening the edge of a hoe; Daisy was walking from the chicken coop with a basket of freshly collected eggs; and Luke…well, Luke was in Capital City with Meghan! Bo struggled to control himself…he had almost thrown his coffee cup across the room at the thought of Luke and Meghan! He had to get a hold of himself or things would get out of hand!

Daisy entered the kitchen just as Bo was about to throw his coffee cup. She knew he didn’t see her and she remained silent as she watched him regain control of himself. Bo had his hands on the edge of the sink and his head was bowed as if he were praying. Daisy cautiously approached him and gently placed a hand on her cousin’s shoulder. He jumped as if he had been shocked. Bo looked at Daisy, all his emotions vying for control. She could see the turmoil in his eyes. He looked so sad and tired. Daisy had hoped the reconciliation with Jesse would help Bo’s mood; but, if anything, he seemed more upset and depressed than ever! She stroked her hand through his bright hair to soothe him.

“Honey, that extra sleep didn’t seem to help you one bit. You still look like something the cat drug in and left in the hayloft overnight!” she said jokingly.

Bo smiled slightly. “Gee, thanks!”

“Seriously, Bo, are you OK?”

“Yeah, Daisy, I will be.” He was pouring himself some more coffee and looked away as he said this.

“Come on, ‘Squirt’, sit down and tell me all about it.” She steered her taller cousin toward a chair.

At the sound of a long forgotten nickname, Bo laughed and nearly choked on his coffee. “ ‘Squirt’?!? You haven’t called me that since I was ten! What’s the deal with you and Luke and the old nicknames here lately?” He let Daisy lead him to the chair and he sat down.

She smiled and hugged him. “Well, I just couldn’t resist. You looked so pitiful…I figured it might make you smile…and sometimes I still think of you as that little ‘squirt’ you used to be before you outgrew me!”

Bo smiled widely at the beautiful young woman he considered to be a sister and took her hand. “It did the job, Daisy Mae! I’m smilin’.”

“It’s good to see you smiling again, Sugar. Now…tell me what’s going on. And don’t lie to me and tell me it’s nothing! I know you better than that. I thought you and Jesse settled everything last night.” She looked at Bo with concern.

Bo tried to avoid her gaze. “We did. Everything’s fine between me and Jesse now. It’s…it’s just something I need to work out for myself.” He said softly.

“You need to talk to someone, Bo. It’s not like you to keep to yourself and you’ve kept to yourself too much lately. If you won’t tell me, why don’t you talk to Luke…?”

“I can’t talk to Luke about this.” Bo said sharply as he rose from his chair. He walked over to the door and leaned against the wooden frame.

Daisy’s suspicions from the night before came back to her, forcefully.
“It’s that nurse; isn’t it? Bo…you like Meghan…don’t you?” She said gently.

Bo turned to look at her. He looked like a deer caught in headlights. Daisy had figured it out. Dear God! What was he going to do? If Luke found out…

“Bo…you do like her! That’s why you got so upset last night when Luke talked about taking her out!” She joined her cousin at the door and touched his face, gently, forcing him to look her in the eye. “Oh, Sugar…why didn’t you say something…”
“What good would it have done? Luke beat me to the punch. I was too much of a coward to ask her out and I lost my chance. End of discussion.” Bo tried to end the conversation and strode into the living room where he sat on the arm of the couch and began to put his socks and boots on. He had to get out of the house. He had to get away from the questions.

Daisy noticed the pained quality to Bo’s voice.
“How long have you liked her?” she softly asked, though she already knew the answer.

Bo sighed and shook his head. There was no way around Daisy! She would keep after him till he told her all she wanted to know…and part of him was grateful for the chance to at least get some of this off his chest.

“Since the first time I heard her voice in that waiting room. Since the moment I looked into those pretty green eyes and she touched my arm. Since she smiled that perfectly cute crooked little smile. Since…” Bo’s face softened. He smiled gently and his dark-blue eyes sparkled as they seemed to be lost in a day-dream.

Once he had started, the words came out in a flood. He told Daisy about all his feelings toward Meghan…his confusion, his fear, and the possibility that he might love her. Daisy listened, in awe at the depth of feeling her young cousin had for this woman who he barely knew!

“Now, Bo! I don’t want to rain on your parade…but, you’ve fallen in love before…”

“Daisy, believe me, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Leave it to Bo to fall in love with a woman he doesn’t even know!’ But…I can’t explain it. I’m crazy about her. When I looked into her eyes, I felt something so strong it scared the crap outta me! I wanted to go to that hospital every day and talk to her…but I was too scared! Can you believe it? Me…scared to talk to a woman! But she’s not like any other woman I’ve met, Daisy. I know I don’t have anything to offer Meghan. I don’t have a good job, I’m always broke, I don’t have a lot of book-smarts, and I know I can act like a danged fool sometimes…but I do know that if I ever got the chance, I would love her till my dying breath! She’s the one Daisy…don’t ask me how I know…but I know! She’s the one…and now I’ve lost her to the best man she could possibly have…Luke.” Bo had been pacing as he gave his impassioned speech. As he ended, he sat down on the couch and sighed, sadly.

Daisy didn’t know what to say. It was obvious that Bo felt things for Meghan that he had never felt before. This was definitely more than one of his usual romances. He had fallen and fallen hard for a woman he now thought he couldn’t have. She sat down by her cousin and rubbed his back to comfort him. He leaned his head over on her shoulder; feeling a little bit better now that he had shared his burden. Bo had always shared things with Luke, but he felt he could open up more and show his true feelings around Daisy. She had always seemed to understand him and didn’t tease him too much for showing his emotions.

“Go on. Say it. I’m pathetic!”

“Bo, honey, you are not pathetic! A little crazy sometimes, yes, but not pathetic!” she joked to lighten the mood.

The two cousins sat in silence for a few minutes. Daisy could feel the conflicted emotions radiating from Bo and she was disturbed by them. She again had the feeling that something bad was going to happen between Bo and Luke and she now knew if it did it would be over Meghan.

“Bo, you really need to tell Luke. You can’t keep something like this from him. He needs to know.”

“NO!” Bo said, vehemently. “No. I almost messed things up between me and Luke over a girl once before. I won’t do it again. If he knew it would just make him mad. Besides, I didn’t have any claim on Meghan. He was perfectly free to ask her out…so there’s no need of bothering him with this. Let him be happy. I don’t want to hurt him because of my own problems. I’ll just have to accept it and try to forget about her.”

“Bo…”

“Please, Daisy. Don’t tell Luke what I just told you. And I’d appreciate it if we didn’t talk about it anymore…OK?”

“What about Jesse? He’ll want to know what’s going on with you.”

“If he asks, you can tell Jesse enough to satisfy him…but, only Jesse and be sure he knows to keep it from Luke! I’ll be the one to tell Luke if and when I’m ready” Bo said in a serious tone as he looked at Daisy. “I mean it, Daisy.”

She nodded.

Bo decided it was time to lighten the mood. It seemed to get too serious too quick around the farm lately. He looked sideways at Daisy and grinned.
“You just wait and see…by the time I get ready to tell Luke my problems, I’ll have forgotten all about Nurse What’s Her Name and have my mind on three other girls.” He nudged his cousin and said, “Ain’t that right…” he paused dramatically “… ‘Toothpick’?”

Daisy gasped in surprise. “Bo Duke! Don’t you dare call me that stupid name!” She hit him with a pillow off the couch.

“Hey, you started it with that ‘Squirt’ business!” He threw the pillow back at her as he jumped up and ran from the living room toward the screen door, yelling the hated nickname at the top of his lungs.

Daisy, welcoming the change in mood, shrieked in mock anger and gave chase.

Jesse looked up from his work at the explosion of noise from the kitchen door. His youngest nephew burst into the yard. Bo was laughing and being chased by Daisy who was threatening to douse him with a pan of dishwater. General chaos ensued as the laughing, shouting young people stirred up the yard full of clucking chickens. Even the mule in the barn started braying in response to all the noise.

Jesse laughed out loud. To him the joyful noises of his family were like music to his ears! It had really been too quiet around the farm for the past few weeks.

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 6

Bo wanted to be anywhere except where he was… but, at the moment; he could do nothing about his current location. He didn’t think he would even be able to get to his bed without help…much less leave the house!
He tried to ignore the three people who stared at him with concern…he just didn’t want to talk right now…but he knew he would probably have to before the night was over.

Daisy was the first to approach Bo. She helped him to a sitting position; steadying him through a wave of dizziness. The young woman sniffed back her tears of relief at seeing her cousin breathing easier. “Bo, Sugar…What are you trying to do? Make me gray-headed before my time?” she said, with a gentle smile, as she finger-combed his thick hair away from his face.

“Sorry.” Bo said, hoarsely. He gave Daisy a small, lopsided grin. She then hugged him, fiercely.

“Hey, cuz. Guess what? You almost turned blue…” Luke tried to be funny, but the fearsome image of Bo’s deathly pale complexion came rushing back to him and his smile faded. He almost whispered, “When you…I thought…” Luke couldn’t finish. He cleared his throat, sat down on the coffee table so he could face his cousin, and instead asked, “How do you feel? Can you breathe OK?”

Bo looked at Luke with questioning eyes; but he decided not to push his cousin. “Frankly…I feel like someone ran over me with the General and left him parked on my chest…but other than that, I guess I’m a lot better than I was. It still hurts a little to breathe, though.” Bo didn’t tell his cousin the rest. He hoped that he wouldn’t be making a habit of having asthma attacks like the one he had tonight! His head hurt, he was dizzy, and the medication made him feel strange and jittery. He felt like he had a bad hang-over from too much cheap, Boar’s Nest booze! In addition, he was utterly exhausted from both the physical and emotional ordeals he had gone through that evening.

In other words…he was a train-wreck!

Luke noticed that Bo didn’t look at Jesse or even acknowledge the older man’s presence in the room. He stood up and briefly enfolded his cousin in a brotherly hug. “Don’t make a habit of this, Bo! I might have a heart attack if I have to haul your carcass through the woods again.” he said, with another attempt at humor to lighten the mood in the room and to mask his own emotions.

Bo smiled at his almost-brother and caught his light-blue eyes with his own sincere, dark-blue eyes. “Thanks Luke. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Don’t mention it little bro’.” Luke said; his voice thickening with emotion. He motioned for Daisy to follow and the two cousins went into the kitchen to leave Bo and Jesse alone in the living room.

Jesse approached his tired, hurting nephew and slowly sat down next to him on the couch.

Bo didn’t move. He just wanted to get this night over with and go to bed so he could deal with his feelings of loss over Meghan in peace.

Jesse tenderly touched the bruise on Bo’s cheek; hating the fact that he had caused the mark. Bo flinched, slightly, but otherwise did not acknowledge the man beside him. Bo wanted to tell Jesse to go away and leave him alone…but…he was raised to be respectful and he figured he should at least let his uncle have his say. ‘After all…maybe things have changed,’ Bo hoped.

The old man drew a deep, ragged breath and turned his nephew’s head to face him. His heart clenched at the look of pain and sadness that emanated from Bo’s expressive eyes. “I’m sorry, Bo. I don’t blame you for not trusting me anymore. I’ve treated you bad the last month or so…I didn’t realize I was doing it…but it happened, and I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.” He sighed and gave a small chuckle, “I guess that silly ol’ saying is true… ‘You always hurt the ones you love’. I do love you, son, and I pray that you can find it in your heart to forgive this old fool.” Tears of regret streaked down Jesse’s face and into his thick beard.

Bo saw the truth in Jesse’s gentle eyes and felt the familiar, fatherly love in his touch and voice. He’s back! Uncle Jesse’s back! Bo’s spirits instantly lightened. The cold, distant stranger that had been masquerading as his uncle for the last month was finally gone!

Jesse noticed that Bo’s eyes were shining with tears. He stroked his nephew’s hair and pulled him into an embrace. Bo’s face crumpled as he gave in and released the weeks of emotional torment he had been through and the current pain he felt (but couldn’t speak of) over Meghan. He dropped his head to Jesse’s shoulder and cried like a baby…and for once, he didn’t care who saw him. He was just grateful to have this part of his world return to normal. He’d find a way to deal with his heartbreak later.

Luke and Daisy had over-heard Jesse’s words and risked a glance into the living room to see their cousin’s response. They saw their uncle holding Bo tightly; rocking gently as he offered the lanky young man comfort. Bo was crying deep, wrenching sobs and murmuring words they couldn’t hear; holding on to his uncle for dear life. Jesse made soft, soothing replies as he shed quiet tears of his own. The two cousins wrapped arms around each other and turned away from the emotional scene; secure in the knowledge that their family would once again be whole.

After a long while, Bo stopped crying. He was worn-out, physically, and emotionally drained. He hoped to never have another night like this… ever! He sniffed, raised his head from his uncle’s shoulder and looked into the adjoining room where Luke and Daisy waited.

He sat up; embarrassed about his ‘melt-down’ now that it was over, and swiped at his eyes. “Ya’ll can come back in now…the water-works have dried up…I don’t think you’ll drown!” he said with a sheepish grin. Jesse smiled at the welcome return of Bo’s humor and struggled to regain his own composure.

Luke and Daisy joined Bo and Jesse in the living room. Daisy brought a pot of coffee and four cups with her. Her eyes were red from her own tears as she spoke to Bo, “Don’t sweat it, Hon. We’ve all cried enough lately to flood Hazzard Square! I thought we could use a little caffeine after the night we’ve had,” she said, pouring the coffee and passing the first cup to her blond cousin.

“Thanks…but I feel like I could use something a bit stronger. I wonder how coffee would taste with a little snort of Jesse’s shine in it…” Bo said with a slight grin, as he held the cup with both hands. He briefly questioned the idea of adding caffeine into his already jittery body, but shrugged it off. He doubted he would have any trouble sleeping tonight…even if he drank the whole pot!

Luke raised an eyebrow at Bo’s comment. “You getting drunk is the last thing we need tonight…so stay out of the shine!” he replied, with a laugh, as he accepted his own cup.

The family sat close and began to mend the wounds of the last few weeks.

Jesse watched his kids, fondly. This had been a rough night for them all. He was still not at 100%, himself, and he felt very tired. He decided he should call it a night…after all it was nearly 1:00 am!

“Well, young’uns, I’m getting these old bones to bed and I’ll advise ya’ll to do likewise. We all need a good nights sleep and mornin’ will be here before we know it.” Jesse stood up, stretched, and began to walk toward the hall to his room. He stopped, and turned to face the cousins. He smiled in his beard and said, with his eyes twinkling, “Next time I decide to act a fool like I did these last few weeks, one of you just give me a swift kick to the seat of my britches…maybe that will get it all over with quicker.”

Daisy’s eyes went wide and she coughed in reply.

Bo hooted with laughter and said, “I think I’ll give that job to Luke.”

Luke gave his cousin a mock scowl, “Gee thanks! What do want to do…get me killed or something?” The four Dukes laughed together at the comment and then Jesse went on to bed.

Daisy yawned loudly and soon followed her uncle’s example, leaving Luke to put the cups in the sink after he and Bo finished their coffee. She hugged both her cousins and dropped a kiss on top of Bo’s head, saying “I love ya, Cousin” softly, as she passed. He smiled and said, “Love you, too. Sleep tight.”

Luke placed the dirty cups in the sink and came back to where Bo was sitting. He looked at his younger cousin and shook his head. Bo looked rough! The blond man was still wheezing a little and was barely able to sit upright. His eyes were slightly closed and had dark circles underneath. The left side of Bo’s face was dominated by a bruise that bloomed over his cheek-bone. The rest of his complexion was still a little pale underneath the dark-blond stubble that sprouted over his jaw-line and cheeks. Bo looked like he was very tired and in pain.

Luke watched as the younger man yawned widely and rubbed his eyes. Luke was instantly 9 ½ years-old again…
He could picture an almost 5 year-old Bo sitting in the same spot; wearing a pair of thread-bare, hand-me-down pajamas, doing the exact same thing and saying, “…but Luke, I’m not sleepy yet!”
He smiled at the memory from their happy childhood and was surprised at the fierce protectiveness he still felt toward his “baby brother”.

“Come on, kiddo,” Luke said, lapsing into one of his many old nicknames for Bo, “let’s get you to bed.”

Bo opened one eye, made a face and looked up at his cousin. “Luke…,” he said with a sideways smile, “I think it’s about time you stopped calling me that stupid nickname…even if I did act like a kid and ended up bawlin’ like a baby tonight.” Bo’s expression grew serious.

Luke sat down by his cousin. “It’s OK, Bo. You had good reason to cry. Hell…I almost cried a few times tonight myself.” he admitted.

Bo looked at Luke. “…You? Why?”

Luke had a serious look on his face. He took a deep breath and began to speak softly and haltingly; like it took a lot of effort to say the words. “Because…everyone was upset…I was upset. I could tell you were hurting…you’ve been hurting like that for a long time…and I couldn’t do anything about it. I really wish I had done more to prevent all this, Bo. I shoulda done something…I could’ve talked to Jesse and I should’ve made you go see Doc! I feel like I let you down…”

Bo kept silent. He didn’t want Luke to know that he had actually felt that he had been let down. The situation was over now…no need to bring up old problems that didn’t matter now.
“…and…I thought…” Luke went silent for a minute and looked at the wall.

“What Luke?”

“I thought you were gonna die! When we were in the woods and you passed out on me…you looked real bad and sounded worse. I really thought we would lose you before Doc got here.” Luke quickly wiped his eyes. “You scared me, kid.” he said as he squeezed Bo’s shoulder.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” Bo said softly. He was slightly unnerved at this rare glimpse of emotion from Luke.

“I know that! It’s not like you tried to suffocate yourself on purpose…at least you better not have!” Luke chuckled and ruffled Bo’s hair; the action made the naturally wavy strands stick out in all directions. Bo reflexively tried to smooth his unruly locks and frowned at his older cousin. Luke was pleased to see the all too familiar gesture…his buddy was finally getting back to normal!
“Let’s go to bed…I know I’m tired and you look like you’re gonna fall over.”

“Just leave me here…I’ll sleep on the couch tonight. I honestly don’t wanna move.” Bo yawned, hugely; his exhaustion apparent in his dark-blue eyes.

“Well if you’re staying out here, then so am I.”

Bo protested and briefly argued with his cousin over this idea.

Luke let him fuss for a bit and then put his foot down. “Hush, Bo. I’m not leaving you alone until I know you’re better. I can still hear you wheeze and I don’t want you having an attack in your sleep without anyone around to know about it.”

Bo was grateful for his cousin’s concern, but he couldn’t just let Luke win without giving him a hard time! He threw up his hands and sighed, theatrically, “Alright, alright…you win…but you’ll have to help me get up.” He held a hand out to Luke.

Luke grabbed his cousin and quickly pulled him off the couch into a standing position. A little too quickly!

Bo was very wobbly and would have fallen to floor if Luke had not been holding on to him. The blond closed his eyes to avoid seeing the room spin. He felt the blood drain from his head as his blood pressure adjusted to his abrupt change of position.

Luke briefly feared his cousin would pass out again; Bo had gone as white as a sheet! “You OK?” Luke asked, nervously. He had his arm tight around Bo, holding the taller man upright.

Bo nodded, slowly. “Yeah, just give me a minute…” he said in a weak voice.
When his balance was restored, Bo allowed Luke to help him towards the room they had shared since childhood.

Half-way down the hall, Bo began to laugh, loudly! Luke looked at him funny. “Bo…has that medicine made you loopy?”

“No…I was just thinking…Luke, I swear…you can be as stubborn as a jackass sometimes! Do you always have to get your way?” he said, giving Luke a sideways grin; hoping his cousin wouldn’t take this statement as an insult.

Luke grinned back; he understood Bo’s meaning. As he opened the door to their room, he replied with a cocky look, “Of course! I’m a Duke ain’t I?

He and Bo almost collapsed with helpless laughter: it was that time of night when everything was hilarious! They were both happy to have the atmosphere in the house return to a somewhat normal state. The boys crawled into their beds (Bo didn’t even bother to undress) and were soon sound asleep.

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 5

“Bo…where the hell are you?” Luke said, under his breath, as he trudged through the woods adjacent to the Duke property. He knew that Bo couldn’t be far since he had left on foot. The younger man was fairly consistent when it came to his hiding spots…the barn loft, the old Indian caves, or the pond. Luke had already checked the barn and was now headed toward the pond.

Bo Duke raced through the underbrush; he paid no attention to where his feet were taking him. Tree limbs and bushes tore at his skin and clothes. He didn’t notice. He was enraged and his heart was breaking…he felt totally alone. Jesse, the only daddy he had ever known, had turned against him and what’s worse…Luke and Daisy had not lifted a finger in his defense during the long weeks leading to tonight’s confrontation! Luke was supposed to be his best friend…his brother…he should’ve done something…he should have helped him! His family didn’t seem to care about him…and, now… he had even lost his chance at love.

How could Luke do this to him? His dream had been killed before it had a chance to live! Bo knew he had no right to be angry at Luke…his cousin had no idea that he liked Meghan, too. It wasn’t Luke’s fault that he couldn’t get up the nerve to talk to Meghan sooner. He knew Luke wouldn’t hurt him on purpose…but it still didn’t stop the pain that wrenched his heart. He knew that his little angel would probably like Luke better, anyway. Luke would be good for her…she deserved someone smart and stable like Luke. “She doesn’t need a screw-up like me,” Bo whispered into the warm night as he tried to outrun his pain. The upset young man, consumed with his inner turmoil, paid no heed to the burning sensation in his lungs that intensified with every footfall.

Luke quietly approached the pond. He didn’t see his cousin anywhere and was just about to head toward the caves when he heard the sound of boots crashing through the woods. He turned and saw Bo emerge into the clearing around the pond. Luke could see that his younger cousin was still very upset. He called out to Bo, hoping to get him to stop his frenzied flight.

Bo didn’t slow down when he heard Luke’s shout. Instead, he turned away from Luke, headed back into the woods, and yelled, “Leave me alone!”
Luke swore and ran after him. The dark-haired man soon caught up to his fair-haired cousin and tackled him. The two men struggled…Bo tried to break free of his stronger cousin’s grip and Luke tried to pin the taller blond to the ground.

Luke was determined that he would get Bo to go back home…even if it meant he had to hog-tie him and drag him!

“Bo…settle down! Jesse wants you to come home. He’s sorry…he wants to talk to you…to make things right,” Luke huffed, as he wrestled with Bo.

“He doesn’t care…none of you do!” Bo yelled, breathlessly, as he struggled to get out of Luke’s grip. He managed to punch his older cousin in the stomach.

“OOF…that ain’t true and you know it, Bo Duke!” Luke replied through clenched teeth, slightly winded. He stilled as he heard an odd sound that caught his attention…a high-pitched, irregular, whistling sound.

Bo realized, too late, that he had forgotten to go see Doc Appleby about his asthma! The combination of his heightened emotional state, the humid air, and the exertion of running and wrestling with Luke had triggered a life-threatening attack. His lungs suddenly felt as if they were filled with shards of glass. His airway was constricting very rapidly and he could barely get any air. Bo’s eyes grew wide with fear as he abruptly stopped his struggle; he wheezed shrilly with every breath.

Luke’s mouth went dry as he realized the sound was being made by his cousin! He looked down at Bo’s fearful expression and felt chills go down his spine. By the sound of it, Bo was in serious trouble. The younger man had started to turn pale; the beginnings of a large bruise showing starkly on his left cheek.

Luke immediately got up and helped Bo to his feet.
“Bo…come on, buddy, we need to get you home and call Doc,” he said gently, trying to mask his own fear. Bo just nodded as he wheezed loudly.

The cousins walked back to farm as quickly as they could; Luke supported Bo as he struggled to breathe. The men gradually had to slow their pace, though; as Bo grew weaker and started to become incoherent.

“Come on, little cousin, we’re almost home…just a little more.” Luke encouraged; almost dragging Bo now. He was becoming more worried. His cousin had never experienced an asthma attack this severe; even when he was a kid and had often been ill due to breathing problems.

Bo felt strange…he could barely put one foot in front of the other and had trouble thinking as his body starved for oxygen. His airway had constricted to the point where he felt like someone was strangling him to death! He vaguely realized he needed to keep moving. He attempted to speak to Luke but was unable to as his vision swam and darkness engulfed him.

Three-quarters of the way to the house, Bo’s body went limp and began to fall to the ground. Luke caught his cousin and frantically tried to rouse him, with no success. Bo had passed out due to lack of oxygen. Luke noticed that Bo’s breathing had become increasingly labored and very irregular. He had heard of people dying from asthma attacks and he feared Bo would be one of them if they didn’t get help soon! Luke hefted the taller man over his shoulder and broke into a trot. The dark-haired Duke nearly cried in relief when the porch light of the farmhouse became visible. He yelled for Daisy and Jesse as he reached the edge of the yard.

While Luke and Bo had been struggling in the woods, Daisy had been doing her best to console Jesse. She assured him that she, Luke, and Bo all loved him and that they understood why he may have been acting differently. Jesse felt even guiltier than he already was when he realized how patient his kids had been with him. He hoped that Luke could persuade Bo to return home.

“How could I have treated Bo like that?” he said, sadly.

“You were just frustrated…I guess you needed someone to take it all out on…”

“That may be…but it don’t excuse how I acted. It wasn’t his fault that I had a stroke. I’ve tried not to notice how different Bo has been lately…but it’s all my fault…and now he might not ever come home…” Jesse’s voice trailed off as he tried to fight tears.

“Don’t worry, Uncle Jesse. Luke will bring him home…” Daisy suddenly stopped talking and turned toward the door. She had heard someone outside, yelling.

“That’s Luke. Something’s wrong.” Jesse said, worriedly, as he stood up and joined his niece at the door.
The white haired man opened the screen-door just as Luke stepped onto the porch with his burden.

“Call Doc! He can’t breathe and it’s getting worse!” Luke exclaimed, out of breath himself from carrying Bo. He carried his cousin into the house.

Daisy rushed to the telephone to call Hazzard’s local physician, Doctor Appleby.

“What’s the matter with him,” Jesse asked, worriedly, as he observed Bo’s pale, sweat-dampened skin, his scratched arms, and labored breathing.

“He’s having another asthma attack and this one’s real bad.” Luke answered, curtly, as he laid the unconscious Bo on the living room couch.

“Huh…what do you mean another attack? He hasn’t had one in years.” Jesse questioned as he propped his nephew’s head and shoulders onto pillows in order to make breathing easier.

“He had one the day you had your stroke…we didn’t tell you because we didn’t want you to worry,” Daisy explained; hanging up the phone before joining the others in the living room.
“Doc’s on his way. He needs to stop by his office to get a few things first.”

“Well…he’d better hurry.” Luke said, quietly, as he brushed Bo’s damp hair from his forehead. His cousin’s skin was cool and clammy and a faint bluish tinge could now be seen around his pale lips and fingernails. His breathing seemed to be getting worse, if that was possible!

The ferocity of this attack scared the usually calm Duke. What if Bo had been alone when it happened? Luke was certain that if that had been the case, he might have found his cousin lying dead in the woods. The thought and the image it conjured chilled him to his bones! What if Doc is too late? Luke didn’t even want to imagine that possibility! He shook his head, as if to clear his mind, and went to stand by the window; watching for the doctor.

Jesse prayed his old friend, Doc, would get there in time…this was the worst spell he had ever seen Bo have. He winced as he heard the labored, painful breathing of the young man before him. His mind reeled with the news that Bo’s asthma had returned and he hadn’t known about it. He spoke to his nephew in a gentle soothing voice, much like he had when Bo was young and had been scared over something, “It’s OK, son…your Uncle Jesse’s here. You’re gonna be all right…just rest easy. Doc’s on his way…”
The old man stroked Bo’s face and hair as he spoke. His heart fell when he noticed the large bruise that spread across the pale skin. “I’m so sorry, Bo…for everything I’ve put you through. When you wake up we’ve got a lot to talk about.” he softly told the unconscious young man he had raised as a son.

Twenty minutes after Daisy’s frantic phone call, Dr. Appleby arrived at the Duke farm. Luke heard the doctor’s old blue car pull up in the yard and ran to open the door for him.

“Good time Doc! You must have flown to get here!” Luke said as the older man hurried into the house.

“Well, I figured I needed to get here quick if Bo’s having as much trouble as Daisy said he was.” The seasoned physician saw the young man lying on the couch and immediately went to his side. He noticed the ominous blue color tinting Bo’s lips, heard the rough breathing and frowned. He pulled a stethoscope from his bag; jerked Bo’s torn T-shirt up, and listened to the young man’s lungs. Doc made a serious looking face and quickly started taking supplies from his medical bag. He grabbed Bo’s arm, swabbed the inside of his elbow with antiseptic, and expertly started an IV.

“Daisy, hold this.” Doc said as he handed her a bag of saline solution and then attached it’s tubing to the IV canula in Bo’s arm.

“Luke, go out to my car and get the oxygen tank in the back seat. When you get it…set it up right here beside Bo.” Luke rushed to do the doctor’s bidding. Jesse looked on, worriedly, as his old friend worked quickly to help his nephew.
The doctor said very little as he worked. His face wore a very serious, concerned expression as he decided which medications to give Bo. After measuring the correct dosages, Doc Appleby injected the breathing medications into Bo’s IV. Luke quickly returned with the oxygen tank and sat it in the floor near his cousin’s head. Doc connected an oxygen mask and tubing to the tank, regulated the flow and placed the mask over Bo’s nose and mouth.

After a frantic few minutes, the old doctor sat back on his heels and sighed, loudly.

“Now we wait for the medicine to do its work. What I want to know is when did this problem start up again and why didn’t he come see me? He had to have warning signs before now. I mean…he’s very lucky, Jesse! An attack this bad could easily have killed him!” Doc said, gruffly, as he glared up at his old friend.

Upon hearing Doc’s serious words, Jesse paled. He then looked to his eldest nephew.

Luke swallowed hard. He explained to the doctor about Bo’s previous episode and the recent nightly wheezing spells. Luke felt guilty as he spoke. He should have pestered Bo into going to the doctor, and then maybe his cousin wouldn’t be lying in this condition now.

The old doctor saw Luke’s worried, almost pained expression. He patted the younger man’s shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, son. That cousin of yours always comes out alright. Besides…Heaven’s not ready for the likes of Bo Duke, yet. They need a lot more years to prepare!” the man said with a gentle smile. “He’ll be fine.”

After a good while and another dose of medication later, Bo returned to consciousness; his oxygen level had finally approached normal. His eyes fluttered open and he slowly looked around the familiar room. He couldn’t remember why he was lying on the living room couch. Why was everyone looking at him…and why was Doc there? He felt awful…like a wrung-out dish rag! His chest hurt and his lungs felt raw. He then remembered the asthma attack and his struggle with Luke…but, his thoughts were still fuzzy and he didn’t quite remember why he had been wrestling with his cousin in the first place. The young man struggled to rise from the pillows he rested against and was immediately pushed back by a strong hand.

“Wait a minute, sleepy-head…you need to get the OK from Doc before you get up.” Bo looked up at the source of the gentle, very familiar touch and voice. His uncle was standing over him; looking at him with concern.

Upon seeing the bearded face, Bo was forcibly reminded of the confrontation in the kitchen…he remembered Jesse hitting him! He immediately pulled away from his uncle’s touch and looked away. Jesse tried to hide his hurt as he noticed Bo’s reaction, but he really couldn’t blame his nephew for not wanting to be near him right now.

Doc Appleby examined Bo thoroughly and scolded the young man for ignoring medical advice. A half-hour later, he allowed Bo to take off the oxygen mask and he removed the IV. Bo made a face and turned his head when Doc pulled out the IV. He had always hated needles! He was just glad he hadn’t been awake when Doc had put it in!

The good doctor packed his things and asked Luke to load them into his car. He gave Bo a new inhaler, scheduled a follow-up appointment for the next week, and then headed back to town after a chorus of heartfelt thanks from the whole family and the promise of one of Daisy’s home-made apple pies.